Toy-projector.



L 0 9 11 m V.. A M D E T N E T A ETH LGB

Mmm

L 7 6, 8 5 7 m N I0 IODEL.

,UNITED STATES Patented Maly 3, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

vGEORGE E. MELLEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TOY-PROJECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. I758,674, dated May s, 1904.

Application filed September 19, 1903. Serial No. 173,891. (No model.)

To all whom, it may coz/1.067%:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. MELLEN, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improved Toy-Projector, of which the following -is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawlngs, forming a part of this-specification, in which corresponding letters of reference in the different iigures indicate like parts.

My invention relates to childrens toys, and has for its object to provide a simple and satisfactory means for projecting toy-like elements adapted to be actuated by a single impulse-such, for example, as an arrow, a top, or other article having a right-line or rotary movement, either singly or together; and my invention consists in the combination of elements hereinafter more particularly described, and definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved projector, showing in connection therewith three articles-viz., a winged spiral, an arrow, and a top-all substantially as they would appear when being projected from said device. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional viewV thereof taken upon the line 2, Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrow there shown. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken upon the line 3, Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrow there shown. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view in plan taken upon the line 4, Fig'. 3; and Fig. 5-is a view in perspective of the lower end of the inner cylinder, showing means thereon for detachably connecting a top therewith. Y

Referring to the drawings, a represents an oblong hollow case, preferably rectangular, or'

substantially so, in cross-section, within which is inserted a hollow cylinder b, the outer diameter of which is less than that of the hollow chamber 0, formed within-the case a. in the hollow cylinder b in turn is placed a shaft l of such a size as to leave an annular space e between it and the interior of the cylinder The latter cylinder is partially closed at one end, as shown at f, Fig. 3, and centrally bored to tit the shaft CZ, which is longer Withthan the case a and is journaled therein at one end, as shown at g, Figs. 2 and 3. Into an enlarged bore in the opposite end of the case t is fitted a circular plug L, which lrests against a shoulder, as shown, and is adjustably secured therein by means of two or more screws t' v?, Figs. 1 and 4, which enter a groove j upon the periphery of said plug, the points of said screws projecting slightly into the wood at the bottom of said groove, as shown. One end the cylinder b is loosely journaled in a recess 7c, Figs. 2 and 3, formed in the plug it, while the end ofA theshaft 0l is likewise journal'ed in a bore Z, formed in and concentric with said plug. A spiral spring m, Figs.

3 and 4, is arranged to surround the shaft d,

one end of which is rigidly secured to the cylinder I), as shown at n, Fig. 3, while the other end is attached to the plug L, as shown at 0, Figs. 3 and 4.

A longitudinal slot p, Figs. 1 and 2, is formed in the casing a, which slot is substantially tangential to the periphery of the cylinder b. Pins q q, preferably about an inch apart, are inserted through said slot, as shown, to form stops for a cord r, which is projected vthrough said slot, as shown, the respective ends of said cord being permanently attached to the cylinder b near its opposite ends by means of tacks s s, Fig. 2.

In assembling the device the shaft Z is first placed within the cylinder ZJ, and the plug /L is mounted upon the end of said shaft with the spring m secured in place, as described. The ends of the cordarethen projected through the slot p, so as to pass around the pins q, as shown in Fig. 2. The cord being fully wound upon the cylinder, the plug 7L is then rotated against the pullof the cord until the desired tension is imparted to the spring, when the plug is secured rigidly inplace by means of the screws e'. Y.

A transverse notch t is formed in the casing .a between the pins q, and a notch u, Figs. 1

cord will cause it to be suddenly rewound by the force of the spring. Any projectile, therefore, such as an arrow t' in Fig. 1, may be propelled by the recoil of the spring the same as if it shot from a bow.

Upon one end of the shaft (Z, which is rigidly connected with the cylinder so as to rotate therewith, is secured a metal plate or ferrule having two raised and oppositely-projecting lugs w w upon its face, which are adapted to enter slots 10 in a spirally-winged projectile A central pin regis also formed upon said plate, adapted to enter a bore w3 in the part fr. IVhen the case t is held in a vertical position, as shown in Fig. 1, and the winged projectile is placed loosely upon said lugs-and central pin, the manipulation of the cord fr will serve to rotate the shaft d and project the part .fr upwardly into the air with a whirling motion. The opposite end of the shaft is provided with a central bore y, Figs. 3, 4, and 5, and is cut away at 1/, while curved lingers y2 y"g are attached to the end of the part d with their free ends extending over the cutaway portions y', as clearly shown at Fig. 5. A top Fig. 1, is provided with the usual stern c', adapted to lit loosely within the bore y. A pin s2 is projected through the base of said stem in such a way that when the stem is inserted within the bore y and slightly rotated toward the left hand the lingers will engage the projecting ends of said pin and hold the 'top in connection with the part 7). A sudden reverse movement of the shaft d while in a vertical postion, as shown, will serve not only to impart a rotary motion tothe top e, but to disengage the lingers y2 from the pin .22 and permit the top to fall to the ground without impeding its rotary motion.

It will be seen from the foregoing that by placing the case (t in the position shown in Fig. l, connecting the part fc upon the pins fw, the arrow a against the cord r, and the top z in connection with the lingers y2, and then unwinding and releasing the cord, the winged device fr, the arrow, and the top will each be projected, so as to impart the requisite motion to them respectively, or the same movement may be imparted to each successively.

Having thus described my invention, I claini-K 1. The combination in a toy-projector of a case forming a handle, a revoluble spring-controlled cylinder mounted therein, a cord wound upon said cylinder in opposition to said spring, both ends of said cord being attached to said cylinder while the loop is carried through an opening in the case and means for retaining the loop upon the outside of the ease.

2. The combination in a toy-projector, of a ease, a shaft mounted therein, a hollow cylinder surrounding said case to rotate therewith, acoiled spring having one end connected with said case and the other with said cylinder, a cord wound upon said cylinder in opposition to said spring, the middle or loop of said cord being carried through an opening in said case, and means for permanently retaining said loop upon the outside of said case.

3. The combination in atoy-projector, of a case adapted to form a handle, a revoluble spring-controlled cylinder mounted therein, the shaft of said cylinder being arranged to project from said case, a cord having its opposite ends attached to the periphery of said cylinder at or near the ends thereof respectively, means for maintaining the loop of the cord upon the outside of the case and means upon an end of said shaft for detachably connecting a toy to be projected by the recoil of the spring.

- 4. The combination in a toy-projector of a case adapted to form a handle, a revoluble spring-controlled cylinder mounted therein, the shaft of which projects from the ends ot' the case, a cord having its opposite ends attached to the periphery of said cylinder at points separated from each other a predetermined distance while the loop is extended through an opening to the outside of the case, pins separated from each other to form a stop for said loop, a notch formed in said case opposite said loop, and means upon the ends of said shaft for detachably connecting toys thereto, whereby a plurality of toys may be projected in dilerent directions by the recoil of the spring.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 17 th day of September, 1903.

GEORGE E. MELLEN. Titnessesz D. H. FLETCHER, CARRIE E. JORDAN IOO 

